After Carmelo Anthony meets with the Lakers on Thursday in Los Angeles, he will have his final meeting with the Knicks in the evening, according to multiple sources.

Looking to wrap up before the July 4th holiday, the Melopalooza will end in a doubleheader as Knicks president Phil Jackson and coach Derek Fisher, each of whom has a home in Los Angeles, have flown to the West Coast with GM Steve Mills. Owner James Dolan again will not attend, after missing the last meeting with Anthony in Los Angeles three weeks ago.

Jackson said before the draft it’s best to have the first meeting and the last one, which Thursday night’s sitdown is presumed to be. Jackson has tried to urge Anthony to take less than the maximum contract he could offer — for five years and $129 million — so the Knicks can have more flexibility in 2015 free agency.

It’s the third time Jackson has met formally with Anthony since the season ended in mid-April. Anthony also met another time with Knicks officials without Jackson present.

The Knicks have remained confident throughout the process because of the complexities of the Bulls and Rockets’ salary cap situations.

Kobe Bryant had planned to fly in from Europe to join the Lakers contingent meeting with Anthony, but was later reported to be unable to make it in time. They are good friends, as are their wives. Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak and team executives Jim Buss and Jeanie Buss also will be present. Jeanie Buss is the fiancée of Jackson.

The Lakers, with near-maximum salary cap space, are trying to sell Anthony on playing in a trio with Bryant and free agent Pau Gasol. Their preference, though, is to land LeBron James and Anthony in a tandem.

At first, the Lakers were tepid about pairing Anthony with Bryant, with talk they would save their cap space. Anthony visited Chicago Tuesday, then hit Houston and Dallas on Wednesday.

On a scale from 1 to 10, how confident are you in a Knicks return?

I will say 9....just because ya never know for sure till it happens. I have said all along he will stay a Knick...but it was his right to be a free agent...probably for the only time in his career. Whats with all you Melo bashers....dont you watch the games? Dont you know the simple game of basketball? IF you dont think Carmelo is a top 5 superstar in the NBA....you dont have a clue!

@Robert Ta hey Robert; I read in today's article that the knicks want to keep him because they traded the farm for him to begin with and it would be bad P.R. to let him walk. I don't know - Sounds like they're throwing good money after bad?

@Michael Ruggiero So... you're 100% sure he's returning, or you're hoping it's 100% sure? Why would you think 10 anyway? If that were the reality - he wouldn't be testing the market to begin with. It doesn't bother you that he has no loyalty the NY Knicks? Umm, Parker - Duncan - Ginobli - 5 time world champions - Not a one them opted out so they could know what it feels like to be courted in free agency. They all took under market deals to stay with the Spurs. That's why they're champions, and car-me-loser has never come close.